The Jim Henson Honors have recognised the work of Shigeru Miyamoto and the technological advances of EA’s Spore with an award each.

The Jim Henson Honors, says Jim Henson’s son, Brian Henson, are awarded to recipients who show “true creativity and commitment to innovation… They have raised the bar in their respective fields.” The program was founded in 2005 and “acknowledges organizations, individuals or products that reflect the core values and philosophy of Jim Henson and the company he founded.”

The Jim Henson Celebration Honor, the highest award, was given to Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto for his previous work as well as the re-ignition of “America’s love for gaming with the creation of Nintendo’s hugely popular Wii console.”

The Jim Henson Technology Honor was given to Spore for its creative, ground-breaking technology. Other Jim Henson Honors include The Jim Henson Community Honor and the The Jim Henson Creativity Honor, this year won by The Center for Puppetry Arts Distance Learning Center and Shepard Fairey respectively.

Previous recipients of Jim Henson Honors include former Vice President Al Gore author JK Rowling and British entrepreneur Richard Branson.